POPCORN VS REGULAR CORN (2024)

FAQs

POPCORN VS REGULAR CORN? ›

Popcorn kernels are much drier than regular corn kernels — you wouldn't want to take a bite out of an ear of popcorn. It lacks the moisture levels and flavor of sweet field corn. Regular corn also has a different type of endosperm.

MAJOR DIFFERENCE B/W POPCORN VS REGULAR CORN:

Its uncompromising, moisture-proof hull enables it to withstand steam and build pressure until it explodes into a fluffy, crispy snack. On the other hand, regular corn is typically grown for its sweet kernels, which are eaten cooked or raw.

Polyphenols have been shown to combat UV damage and lower the risk of developing some cancers, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other diseases. Research shows that polyphenols are more concentrated in popcorn compared to sweet corn or other vegetables.

There are many corn varieties that can differ significantly from popcorn, which are not just dried kernels of the sweet corn we eat. Popcorn is actually a special variety of corn, and it is the only one that pops. The key to popcorn is the unique design of its kernels.

Nope. The corn at your local grocery is called sweet corn, and it won't pop. Neither will field corn, the type used in foods such as tortilla chips. Only the kernels from popcorn cobs will pop.

That means the kernels need to reach 100 degrees Celsius, or 212 degrees Fahrenheit before they'll pop. Even the inside of a sealed car in direct sunlight doesn't get that hot, and the corn's husk helps keep the kernels cool even on the hottest days. Aw shucks, so that's why they don't pop.

Grab a medium-size paper bag and place the cob inside. Fold the bag end twice to secure the closure, place it in the microwave and set it on high heat. Set it to 2½ to 4 minutes. Popping intervals must be cut down to 2 to 3 seconds before stopping the microwave.

However, moderation is key. Even though it is much more filling than many other snack foods, it can still be fattening if you eat too much of it. Popcorn is high in fiber, relatively low in calories and has a low energy density. Eating it in moderation may help with weight loss.

Depending on its preparation, popcorn can be a healthful snack. When air-popped, unsweetened, and unsalted, popcorn contains plenty of fiber, vitamins, and minerals that the body needs. That said, added butter, sugar, and salt can make popcorn an unhealthful snack.

Popcorn is high in fiber and protein. It's also a good source of carbohydrates and dietary fiber. It's loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. The antioxidant lignans found in popcorn may help protect against cancer.

Should I soak my popcorn before popping? ›

To make your popcorn pop better, try soaking the kernels in a bowl of water for 10 minutes and then draining them. Then, pop the kernels as usual. The extra moisture added to the kernels helps produce larger and fluffier popcorn. Another option is to keep the lid ajar if you're popping your popcorn on the stove.

Is Eating Popcorn Safe for Dogs? Yes and no. Plain, air-popped popcorn is safe for dogs to eat in small quantities. Buttered popcorn or popcorn with other toppings is not safe for your dog on a regular basis, although eating a few dropped pieces here and there probably won't hurt them.

Barley, rice, quinoa, amaranth – you name it – can be quickly popped like corn. I just did this and it's delicious!

Those kernels pop under pressure, turning into the popcorn snack you know and love. Popcorn kernels are much drier than regular corn kernels — you wouldn't want to take a bite out of an ear of popcorn. It lacks the moisture levels and flavor of sweet field corn. Regular corn also has a different type of endosperm.

Because popcorn takes a month or longer than sweet corn to mature, it is best to plant the popcorn first. You could also choose to grow only popcorn, and not worry about isolation. You must direct seed popcorn. Seeds germinate best when soil temperatures are close to 60°F.

Charles Cretor of Chicago is often credited as the inventor of modern popcorn, thanks to his invention of the mobile popcorn cart in the 1880s. But the act of popping corn is much older.

Zea mays everta

Some strains of corn (taxonomized as Zea mays) are cultivated specifically as popping corns. The Zea mays variety everta, a special kind of flint corn, is the most common of these.

Popcorn differs from other types of corn in that its hull has just the right thickness to allow it to (eventually) burst open. Each kernel of popcorn contains a small drop of water stored inside a circle of soft starch. Popcorn needs between 13.5-14% moisture to pop.

In some parts of Latin America and Mexico, field corn consumption far exceeds that of sweet corn. In the United States, field corn is not generally regarded as desirable for human food without commercial pre-processing.

Different types of corn contain varying amounts of water. Corn on the cob and corn fresh off the cob contain the largest percent water. Popcorn and field corn contain less water. Fresh corn on cob will not work as popcorn because there is no hard kernel to allow pressure buildup.